Explaining Europe's campaign to roll back the protection of wolves

Wolf protection is back on the table for EU lawmakers as they must now reopen talks on the EU's Habitats Directive, a cornerstone of EU biodiversity policy. The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention decided to back a European Commission proposal weakening the protection of wolves on Tuesday (3 December), meaning MEPs must now reconsider one of the EU's flagship biodiversity policies. But why is the European Commission waging a crusade against wolves? And how does it align with the union's environmental pledges?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and Euractiv's Energy, Environment and Transport reporter Barbara Machado reflect on the political motives behind lowering the protection status of wolves and its wider implications for biodiversity.